The maintenance of laying hens in winter will largely depend on what breed is available in the poultry yard. In total, six main breeds of laying hens are distinguished: Andalusian blue, Leghorn white, Partridge Italian, minor, White Russian, and Ukrainian ear flaps.
Of all the listed diversity, Ukrainian laying hens have the best characteristics for survival in the cold. The maintenance of these birds in winter is facilitated by the fact that they have a small body, short legs and a dense, well-fitting plumage. In addition, Russian white chickens have increased unpretentiousness.
What conditions do laying hens need? Maintenance in the winter suggests that most of the time they will be in the chicken coop. If the region has severe frosts, it is better to initially design a room taking into account temperature characteristics. For example, before entering the chicken coop you need to build a vestibule in which the air will warm up a bit.
In addition, the maintenance of laying hens in winter will require insulation of the floor (usually a thick layer of sawdust is laid), the installation of additional light sources (very important for a shorter light day). The walls from the inside, as well as the roof of the chicken coop need to be covered with insulating material, and be ready to connect additional heating in the form of a heater, incandescent lamps, infrared panels. Devices are purchased at the rate of one kilowatt per 8-10 square meters of space, but provided that its walls are sufficiently insulated.
Do not forget about the "grandfather" ways of warming for the winter. Here, the filling on the floor of a large layer of shavings, dry leaves, sawdust, shredded straw stands out especially. About 5-6 cm are added weekly to the initial height of 0.15 meters, while the different layers are mixed and loosened. Due to thermochemical processes in the above materials, a temperature of up to 30 degrees is generated inside the deep layer of the litter, at which the chickens feel very comfortable. However, one should not forget about the ventilation of the room so that the harmful smell of ammonia does not stagnate.
How to make eggs from laying hens also give eggs in December-January? The maintenance in the winter in this case should ensure the proper temperature in the chicken coop, as well as proper feeding. In the winter diet, the main place is occupied by boiled root crops and potatoes (up to 0.1 kg per head per day). You also need to give about 60 g of grain and 25 g of bran. Two grams of fishmeal, three grams of chalk and one gram of salt for each chicken. Due to the lack of vitamins, about 40 grams of greens will still be needed to maintain immunity and produce high-quality and tasty eggs.
What else do laying hens need? Maintenance in winter and summer implies the need for birds in the water. It should be clean, warm enough, replaced when contaminated, which will protect chickens from diseases, and their owners from losses. If the chicken coop is cold, then in cold weather drinking bowls should be constantly checked for lack of freezing.